FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

C
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
by J.K. McKee posted 07 February, 2013 www.tnnonline.net

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I am a non-Jewish Messianic Believer, and have been told that my calling as a Messianic Gentile
is to go back to a church, and not become Torah observant. I am told that I must follow Pauls
rule, and that seeking to live more like Yeshua and His Apostles would violate both it and my
distinct calling, and likely nullify Gods special calling on the Jewish people. I should instead
simply help Christians in church, not too interested in their Hebrew Roots, be more favorable to
Israel and Jewish issues. Can you please help me?


Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this
manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the [assemblies]. Was any man called
when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has
anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. Circumcision
is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the
commandments of God. Each man must remain in that condition in which he
was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are
able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while
a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is
Messiah's slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was
called (1 Corinthians 7:17-24, NASU).

On the whole, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, is a passage of elusiveness for most of todays
individual Messianic Believers. Bits and pieces of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 have been quoted here or
there by various writers and teachers, but for the most part it tends to be something skipped over
by Messianic Bible readers, much less probed for its theological and philosophical significance. 1
Corinthians 7:17-24 has, however, been examined in some detail by various leaders within
Messianic Judaism, and perhaps because of some of the conclusions drawn by them, 1 Corinthians
7:17-24 has been widely avoided or flat ignored by those within the more independent,
Hebrew/Hebraic Roots Messianic sectors. The challenges presented by 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, are
reflective of a more widescale avoidance, on the part of most of todays broad Messianic
movement, to examine the Epistle of 1 Corinthiansa letter, which in some ways, is even harder
to understand than the Epistle to the Galatians.
a

There are some deep, ethical questions asked of examiners of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24,
especially given how these verses have been abused in historical interpretation.
b
These verses have
been used, at times, to justify retaining the institution of slavery, and to theologically chastise
slaves trying to acquire freedom (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:21)as though slavery were some kind of
perpetual spiritual vocation that can never be altered. Likewise, this passage has been used to
justify women staying in abusive marriage relationships, where there has been no adultery (cf.
Matthew 5:32), but where there is still a hellish nightmare of a marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 has
been used to oppose social mobility, as though extreme poverty is a spiritual vocation that cannot
be changed, and that people should not try to really aspire to improve their conditions. 1
Corinthians 7:17-24 has been used as a means for religious authorities to put various groups or sub-

a
Consult the authors article The Message of 1 Corinthians, and the entry for 1 Corinthians in his workbook
A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures for the Practical Messianic.
b
Walter C. Kaiser, Peter H. Davids, F.F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Branch, Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996), pp 591-593 includes a useful summary, under the sub-section, Remain in Slavery?; see
also the observations in Craig Blomberg, NIV Application Commentary: 1 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994),
pp 147-148.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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groups in their proverbial place, discouraging them from accomplishing their dreams and
pursuits.
As we approach 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, and what some of the various issues are regarding
Pauls rule, J. Paul Sampley summarizes some of the extremes which need to be steadfastly
avoided:
Pauls...counsel...[in 7:24] can be mistaken as a call to inaction, to do nothing, or even to
embrace the status quo. There are circumstances that the gospel cannot abide and we must be
unmistakably clear about that. For example, no one should remain in a physically or emotionally
abusive situation. The gospel does not call for one to do that. In a similar way, Pauls counsel to
remain should not be used as a justification for not seeking better circumstances for oneself and
an improvement of ones circumstances.
c

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 are significantly loaded and complicated verses, not only because of
how they have been abused in historybut also because of how readers and interpreters must
approach them properly for their ideological and spiritual significance. These factors will involve
not only a fair-minded recognition of an examiners presuppositions or vantage points going into
the text, but also different English renderings of various verbs or clauses, as well as comparison
with other Pauline passages. Three principal areas of discussion, which should affect any
interpreters view of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, are going to concern:
1. The right approach to the Greek noun klsis (sct,), calling (1 Corinthians
7:20), and the related verb kale (sa..), to call (1 Corinthians 7:17, 18, 20,
21, 22 [2x], 24), and whether this should be approached as a social/spiritual
vocation, or a calling by God into salvation and sanctification.
2. A proper rendering of the Greek clause en t klsei h eklth (.i sc.t
.s) in 1 Corinthians 7:20 as something literal such as, in the calling in
which he was called (TLV), or something which has a definite value
judgment, such as the state/condition/life situation in which he was called
(RSV/ESV/HCSB).
3. The right approach to the Greek verb men (.i.; 1 Corinthians 7:20, 24), and
whether it is best represented by a static English verb like remain
(RSV/NASU/NIV/NRSV/ESV et. al.), or something a bit less static like
abide (KJV/ASV).
To get an idea about some of the challenges of interpretation, alone, provided by properly
translating 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, simply compare and contrast some of the similarities and
differences between the 1901 American Standard Version (ASV), and one of its successors, the
1995 New American Standard Update (NASU):


c
J. Paul Sampley, The First Letter to the Corinthians, in Leander E. Keck, ed. et. al., New Interpreters Bible
(Nashville: Abingdon, 2002), 10:883.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-24

ASV

NASU

[17] Only, as the Lord hath distributed to
each man, as God hath called each, so let
him walk. And so ordain I in all the
churches. [18] Was any man called being
circumcised? Let him not become
uncircumcised. Hath any been called in
uncircumcision? Let him not be
circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing,
and uncircumcision is nothing; but the
keeping of the commandments of God. [20]
Let each man abide in that calling wherein
he was called. [21] Wast thou called being a
bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if
thou canst become free, use it rather. [22]
For he that was called in the Lord being a
bondservant, is the Lord's freedman:
likewise he that was called being free, is
Christ's bondservant. [23] Ye were bought
with a price; become not bondservants of
men. [24] Brethren, let each man, wherein he
was called, therein abide with God.


[17] Only, as the Lord has assigned to
each one, as God has called each, in this
manner let him walk. And so I direct in
all the churches. [18] Was any man
called when he was already
circumcised? He is not to become
uncircumcised. Has anyone been called
in uncircumcision? He is not to be
circumcised. [19] Circumcision is
nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but what matters is the keeping of the
commandments of God. [20] Each man
must remain in that condition in which
he was called. [21] Were you called
while a slave? Do not worry about it;
but if you are able also to become free,
rather do that. [22] For he who was
called in the Lord while a slave, is the
Lord's freedman; likewise he who was
called while free, is Christ's slave. [23]
You were bought with a price; do not
become slaves of men. [24] Brethren,
each one is to remain with God in that
condition in which he was called.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-24GREEK

[17] Ei m hekast hs emerisen ho Kurios, hekaston hs keklken ho Theos, houts
peripateit. Kai houts en tais ekklsiais pasais diatassomai. [18] Peritetmmenos tis
eklth, m epispasth en akrobustia kekltai tis, m peritemnesth. [19] H peritom
ouden estin kai h akrobustia ouden estin, alla trsis entoln Theou. [20] Hekastos en t
klsei h eklth, en taut menet. [21] Doulos eklths, m soi melet all ei kai dunasai
eleutheros genesthai, mallon chrsai. [22] Ho gar en Kuri kltheis doulos apeleutheros,
Kuriou estin, homois ho eleutheros kltheis doulos estin Christou. [23] Tims gorasthte
m ginesthe douloi anthrpn. [24] Hekastos en h eklth, adelphoi, en tout menet para
The.

[17]Et .sac. ., ..tc.i e sute,, .sacei ., s.ss.i e .e,, eu.,
:.t:a.t.. sat eu., .i at , .ssctat, :acat, etaacceat. [18] :.t.. ie,
t, .s, .:tc:ac. .i aseucta s.sat t,, :.t.i.c.. [19]
:.te eue.i .cti sat aseucta eue.i .cti, aa ct, .ie.i .eu.
[20] .sace, .i sc.t .s, .i au .i... [21] eeue, .s,, cet
... a` .t sat euiacat ..u.e, ,.i.cat, aei ,cat. [22] e ,a .i
sut. s.t, eeue, a:..u.e, suteu .cti, eet., e ..u.e, s.t, eeue,
.cti Xtceu. [23] t, ,eac. ,ti.c. eeuet ai.:.i. [24] .sace,
.i . .s, ae.|et, . i eu. .i.. :aa ...

Frequently Asked Questions C

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The ASV, while including a wide amount of Elizabethan period English (although far less
than the KJV), leaves an interpreter with a wider array of options and some more literal
renderingswhereas the NASU has made some value judgments (see esp. 1 Corinthians 7:20, 24).
These will be important to consider as we prepare to evaluate 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 in detail.
Readers and interpreters of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 generally have two broad options to
consider, for what this passage means:
1. The calling described by Paul is a Divinely-mandated vocation, in which
Jewish and non-Jewish Believers, and those such as slaves, are to remain, and
which should never really change.
2. The calling is a Divine summons to salvation and sanctification in Yeshua.
When called to salvation, each person is found in a different situation or
status in life, and a change of status should not be enacted as a condition of
being called to salvation. People should instead abide with God in His calling
of them to redeeming faith.
Surveying a small selection of resources on 1 Corinthians, one will encounter Christian
interpreters who approach 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 as the calling pertaining to a social/spiritual
vocation.
d
More likely, though, one is prone to encounter those who think that a calling to
salvation manifesting in ones life circumstances, with such a station then being reckoned as some
sort of social/spiritual vocation, is being described, sometimes with the details left a bit unclear or
fuzzy.
e
The Messianic Jewish interpreters who have commented on this, have tended to take the
calling in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, as not only being a social/spiritual vocation,
f
but one that is
probably to be rigidly applied so that differences among Gods people almost totally eclipse the
common faith we are to all have in Yeshua, and our basic human need for redemption.
g

While it may be met with some resistance by various contemporary Christian positions, as
well as trends in much of current Messianic Judaismthe view defended here will propose that 1
Corinthians 7:17-24 can only be best viewed, as presenting a calling to salvation and
sanctification. Ones calling into Messiah faith is not contingent on a particular station in life or
social status, and outsiders should not force change onto Believers, as some condition of their
salvation. Pauls rule is that each person is to abide in his or her calling, in God and His Messiah
Yeshua, as it is the Lord who directs the paths of the faithful according to His will and plan.


ch. 7 The passage of the letter of 1 Corinthians, which concerns Pauls rule, 1 Corinthians
7:17-24, is preceded by a wider discussion about marriage, and one that Paul notably says,
concerned the things about which you wrote (1 Corinthians 7:1), in a previous, non-extant letter.
The marriage issues concerned the mutual sexual needs of man and wife (1 Corinthians 7:2-6, 9),
the advantage of someone like Paul being unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:7-8), and what was to be
done if a husband or wife was a non-Believer (1 Corinthians 7:9-16). The vignette detailing Pauls

d
W. Harold Mare, 1 Corinthians, in Frank E. Gaebelein, ed. et. al., Expositors Bible Commentary (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1976), 10:232-233.
e
F.F. Bruce, New Century Bible: 1 and 2 Corinthians (London: Oliphants, 1971), 71-72; Leon Morris, Tyndale
New Testament Commentaries: 1 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), pp 108-112; Gordon D. Fee, New
International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), pp
306-322; Blomberg, pp 145-149; Richard B. Hays, Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: 1
Corinthians (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1997), pp 122-126; Anthony C. Thiselton, New International Greek Testament
Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000), pp 544-562; Sampley, in NIB, 10:879-
884.
f
David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary (Clarksville, MD: Jewish New Testament Publications,
1992), pp 457-456; David Rudolph (2010). Pauls Rule in All the Churches (1 Cor 7:17-24) and Torah-Defined
Ecclesiological Variegation, 03 November, 2008. Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations. Retrieved 06 June, 2011 from
<http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/scjr/index>.
g
Cf. D. Thomas Lancaster, The Holy Epistle to the Galatians: Sermons on a Messianic Jewish Approach
(Marshfield, MO: First Fruits of Zion, 2011), 193; Boaz Michael, Tent of David: Healing the Vision of the Messianic
Gentile (Marshfield, MO: First Fruits of Zion, 2013), pp 77-78.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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rule, is then followed by a series of instructions regarding potential marriage of virgins (1
Corinthians 7:25-26, 29-38), current marriages in Corinth (1 Corinthians 7:27-28), and possible
remarriages in Corinth (1 Corinthians 7:38-40). With Paul noting the present distress (1
Corinthians 7:26), there are some situation-specific words in 1 Corinthians ch. 7 which are going to
have to be considered by readers.
That we encounter Pauls remark, so I direct in all the [assemblies] (1 Corinthians 7:17),
the principles elaborated upon in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 would have been implemented by him in
his ministry service across the board, as he dealt with the status of different groups within the
Body of Messiah. As can be detected, given the diversity of marriage advice in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16,
25-40, while Paul did not actively encourage marriage here to his intended audience, neither did he
forbid it, nor did he forbid married couples from being one in the Lord, nor did he actively
encourage a believing spouse from leaving his or her non-believing wife. There is much that had to
be considered, on the basis of what was best for ones relationship and service to the Lord, such as
whether a husband or wife could sanctify a marriage relationship, and bring a non-believing spouse
to saving faith (1 Corinthians 7:14, 16).


17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him
walk. And so I direct in all the [assemblies].

7:17 The two main statements made in 1 Corinthians 7:17, which will control much of the
discussion and debate over Pauls rule, are the Apostles assertion: hekast hs emerisen ho Kurios,
hekaston hs keklken ho Theos (.sac. ., ..tc.i e sute,, .sacei ., s.ss.i e .e,). The
two main verbs to consider are meriz (.t,.), deal out, assign, apportion (BDAG),
h
and
kale (sa. .), to call, summon (LS).
i

It is not difficult to see that there are particular stations in life where God has assigned
or distributed (KJV; emerisen) people. Where differences of view rest are not on the various life
situations where people are placed; differences of view rest with what is intended by Paul in terms
of Gods calling (keklken) of people, which is then enjoined with the direction: so let him
walk (KJV), houts peripateit (eu., :.t:a.t.). People are to walk out their calling, but is
the calling synonymous with the station in life assigned to them?
There are those who will interpret 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 from the perspective that the
station in life and calling are basically the same thing, with the calling of God to be viewed as a
social/spiritual vocation. Alternatively, however, this passage can be viewed from the perspective
that the calling of God is a call into salvation and sanctification, and 1 Corinthians 7:17
acknowledges how each person has been placed in a particular life situation distributed by God at
the moment of their being called into salvationbut that people are to walk in their calling into a
relationship with God, who then directs their paths. Craig Blomberg usefully observes,
To which God has called him [NIV], is a misleading translation; the Greek actually
reads, as God called him. In other words, the entire verse implies that in whatever state we are
when we come to the Lord, we should function faithfully in that state without immediately
seeking to change it.
j

While there can be some resistance to it, the idea that the calling in view in 1 Corinthians
7:17, is a calling into salvation and sanctification, is textually supported by a statement made
earlier by Paul in this very letter. In 1 Corinthians 1:9, he tells his audience, God is faithful,
through whom you were called [eklthte, .s.] into fellowship with His Son, Yeshua the
Messiah our Lord.
Examiners have certainly had to wrestle through the factors of whether or not the
calling in 1 Corinthians 7:17ff (whether it appears here as the verb kale, sa. ., or elsewhere as

h
BDAG, 632.
i
LS, 395.
j
Blomberg, 145.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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the noun klsis, sct,), is a social/spiritual vocation, or a calling into salvation and sanctification.
Grammatically speaking, Anthony C. Thiselton describes how Pauls most characteristic usages of
sa.. [kale] and se, [kltos] refer to Gods act of having called to Christian salvation, which
in Pauls case (and not only his) coincided with his call to a task of service.
k
Thiselton further
states, Isaiahs use of arq (qara) prepares the way for the notion of the people of God as the
called in Rom 8:30 and 1QM 3:2; 4:10-11.
l

A rather general view of 1 Corinthians 7:17, in light of the previous usage of calling in the
letter, is offered by F.F. Bruce. He asserts, A man or womans social status is of minor importance:
what matters is the fact that one has been called by God into his fellowship and service (cf. 1.9).
To this calling the believer should remain faithful whatever his state of life may be.
m
Sampley,
focusing mainly on 1 Corinthians 7:17, draws the attention of readers and examiners to how the
walking out of the gospel, is where the main attention and loyalty of Messiah followers is to be
placed:
Verse 17 and its echoes in v.20 and v.24 affirms that Paul expects persons, in all of his
churches, to live, specifically to walk, the gospel in the circumstances where they were called,
where the grace of God engaged them. Living the gospel is the primary concern. To put it
differently, how they walkthat is, how they comport themselvesis the key issue. Location
and setting are indifferent matters; ones call is not. The gospel can flourish and be walked out in
any circumcstance, and the living of it elevates the person and the circumstance in which the
person lives. Paul does not require believers to leave their social setting.
n

Gordon D. Fee also acknowledges the two points of how The concept of call is first of all
a way of describing Christian conversion. God calls people to be in Christ (1:9). He then goes on
to note, That call came to a person in a given social setting. This is the clear emphasis of all the
verbs in this passage, especially as it is associated with various social options (vv. 18 [twice], 21, 22
[twice]).
o
The steadfast focus of ones calling, however, is to be placed on the proper way to
walkand not the station or circumstances of life where such a walk of faith is manifested or
demonstrated. The TNIV rendering of 1 Corinthians 7:17, slightly paraphrased, draws the
evaluation, each of you should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to
you, just as God has called you.
The statement of 1 Corinthians 7:17ff, is something that the Apostle Paul says, So I
command in all the assemblies (HNV). A basic, evangelical Christian conclusion drawn for this,
by Bruce, is, Pauls rule in all the churches...was that a believer should be content to remain in the
state of life in which he was at the time of his conversionmarried or unmarried, circumcised or
uncircumcised, slave or free man.
p
Simply consider a newly saved Corinthian Believer, raised
Greek or Roman, still trying to work through and process the essentials of walking a life of faith in
Israels Messiahthen having to immediately process the challenges of marriage, or some other
significant life change.
While a change in ones social standing, be it high or low, is not a prerequisite for one
being called into salvationcan the possibility be left open for future changes? Fee deliberates
how the concern is with their social setting at the time of that call, which is now to be seen as
that which the Lord assigned to each. That does not mean that one is forever locked into that
setting...by saving a person in that setting, Christ thereby assigned it to him/her as his/her place
of living out life in Christ.
q
He goes on to assert the useful thought, Pauls intent is not to lay
down a rule that one may not change; rather, by thus hallowing ones situation in life, he is trying

k
Thiselton, 548.
l
Ibid., pp 548-549.
m
Bruce, 71.
n
Sampley, in NIB, 10:880.
o
Fee, 309.
p
Bruce, 71.
q
Fee, 310.
Fee does also say, though, approaching the calling as also being a social/spiritual vocation, in that situation
itself is taken up in the call and thus sanctified to him or her.
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to help the Corinthians see that their social status is ultimately irrelevant as such.
r
One would
assume that if a new Believer, called into Messiah faith in a particular social standing, that as
further maturity in the Lord occurs in his or her spiritual relationship, that there certainly could
if not wouldbe many who change their social standing as He directs their walk. To disallow such
change, and to consider 1 Corinthians 7:17ff as presenting rigid and inflexible directions, invites
problems (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:21b).
We cannot deny that elsewhere in Pauls letters, especially in a passage like Romans 11:29,
that the calling in view is one of vocation, but whether the calling detailed in 1 Corinthians
7:17ff is a vocationas opposed to a call into fellowship with God via His Sonshould be further
probed. While there is a history of interpretation,
s
going back to Martin Luthers German Bible
rendering of berufen, which would pertain to a vocation or profession,
t
we have to principally be
focused on the text of 1 Corinthians, and other Pauline statements where calling is addressed.


18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised.
Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.

7:18 Two questions are asked by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:18. [If] having been circumcised
anyone was called, let him not conceal [it]. In uncircumcision has anyone been called; let him not
be circumcised (Brown and Comfort).
u
While a debate present in other Pauline letters, there does
not seem to be an issue present in Corinth over circumcision, and so to a degree this might be
considered a somewhat ad hoc example for the issues Paul needed to address to the Corinthians.
Disagreement ensues as to whether or not the statuses of circumcised and uncircumcsed, concern
a social/spiritual vocation, or the condition of a person when being called into Messiah faith.
The first question Peritetmmenos tis eklth, m epispasth (:.t..ie, t, .s,
.:tc:ac.), obviously regards some sort of Jewish status. The verb peritemn (:.t.i.)
means to cut or clip round about (LS),
v
hence to circumcise, and widely renders the Hebrew mul
(lWm) in the Greek Septuagint. The noun form of circumcision is peritom (:.te ). More
notable, perhaps, is the usage of the verb epispa (.:tc:a.), to pull the foreskin over the end of
the penis, pull over the foreskin (BDAG).
w
Epispasm was an ancient practice, seen during the
Maccabean crisis, where Jewish males would remove the marks of circumcision (RSV), via a
kind of foreskin restoration, of stretching the remaining skin that had not been cut, downward,
forcing a new foreskin to grow. An ancient Jewish male, going through the process of epispasm,
removing the sign of circumcision, committed the first major act of Hellenizationwhich
subsequently involved abandoning the heritage of the Torah, abandoning the God of Israel, and
embracing idolatry. The historical records of both the Apocrypha and Josephus testify to this
x
:

From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he
had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh
year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and
misled many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for
since we separated from them many evils have come upon us. This proposal pleased
them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe

r
Ibid., 311.
s
Thiselton, 549.
t
Doch wie einem jeglichen GOtt hat ausgeteilet. Ein jeglicher, wie ihn der HErr berufen hat, also wandele er.
Und also schaffe ich's in allen Gemeinde (Luther 1545 German Bible).
Cf. Langenscheidts New College German Dictionary, German-English (Berlin and Munich: Langenscheidt KG,
1995), 99.
u
Robert K. Brown and Philip W. Comfort, trans., The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament (Carol
Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1990), 593.
v
LS, 633.
w
BDAG, 380.
x
Cf. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, pp 454-455.
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the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to
Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy
covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil (1 Maccabees
1:10-15).

Therefore they desired his permission to build them a gymnasium at Jerusalem. And
when he had given them permission, they also hid the circumcision of their genitals, that
even when they were naked they might appear to be Greeks. Accordingly, they
abandoned all the customs that belonged to their own country, and imitated the practices
of the other nations (Josephus Anitiquities of the Jews 12.241).
y


While the crisis of epispasm certainly peaked during the Maccabean erathere should be
no denying the fact that various Jews, in the time afterward, did in fact Hellenize, removing the
marks of circumcision, so that they could be socially mobile in Greek and Roman pagan circles.
These were Jews who would have abandoned not only their heritage, but would have apostatized
from the God of Israel.
The second question asked in 1 Corinthians 7:18, en akrobustia kekltai tis, m
peritemnesth (.i aseucta s.sat t,, :.t.i.c.), obviously regards some sort of
non-Jewish status. While most often translated as uncircumcision, likely due to stylistic reasons
in English Bibles (and the fact that sexual anatomy is not often specified as such), the term
akrobustia (aseucta) more literally means foreskin (LS),
z
and rendered the Hebrew orlah
(hl'r.[') in the Greek Septuagint. In the Apostolic Scriptures, Paul forbade the majority of the new,
non-Jewish Believers, from being circumcised. His disciple Timothy was a notable exception, but
he was already half-Jewish, and not being physically circumcised would have caused some
unnecessary problems for Pauls ministry activity among Jews (Acts 16:1-3). For those Greeks and
Romans, who came to faith in Israels Messiah, the issue of going through the process of
circumcision was not so much one of a medical procedure, but instead an issue of formally
becoming a proselyte to Judaism. Much of this was associated with the widespread, ancient Jewish
view, All Israelites have a share in the world to come... (m.Sanhedrin 10:1).
aa
Ethnic heritage was
believed to automatically guarantee a Jew, and by extension a circumcised proselyte, eternal
salvation.
While in the Messianic community, the period of the Maccabees gets a wide amount of
attention, particularly during the season of Chanukahwhat does not often get a huge amount of
attention is what took place in the generation or so after the Maccabees reclaimed independence
for Judea. Various Hasmonean leaders, who established their rule in the Land of Israel, did force
non-Jews in places like Galilee, and Greek coastal cities such as Carmel or Gaza, to be
circumcised and proselytized to Judaism. Some of this may have been religiously motivated, so
that the presence of those Greeks in the region and immediate sphere of influence of Judea would
not be a temptation for the Jewish people to fall into apostasy. Some of this may have been
politically motivated, as Jewish leaders consolidated their power. And some of this might have
been eschatologically motivated, as it could have been thought that massive numbers of pagans
converting to Judaism would herald the arrival of the Messiah and the Day of the Lord. Scot
McKnight summarizes,

At certain periods in history certain Jewish movements, led by charismatic or politically
powerful heroes, many conversions took place as the result of force. However
triumphalistic the writers concepts might be, the conversions recorded in Judith (Jdt
14:10) and Esther (Esther 8:17) resulted from force. Hyrcanus, Aristobulus I and
Alexander Jannaeus each forced Gentiles to convert and be circumcised, even if they saw

y
The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged, 323.
z
LS, 30.
aa
Neusner, Mishnah, 604.
Frequently Asked Questions C

- 9 -
such as part of an eschatological program or political purgation (Josephus Ant. 13.9.1
257-58; 13.9.3 318-19; 13.15.4 397; 15.7.9 v254-54).
bb


There were obviously various, overly-conservative factions of Jewish Believers, within the
First Century Body of Messiah, who wanted to see the Greek and Roman Believers circumcised as
proselytes, so that they might be assured of salvation (Acts 15:1, 5). This is something that
Apostles like Peter said was clearly inappropriate, as allincluding Jewish Believersare saved by
the free grace of Yeshua (Acts 15:7-11).
The Apostle Paul drew the principle that he opposed Jewish Believers removing the mark
of circumcision, most likely using an example from the Maccabean crisis of the Second Century
B.C.E., and how it would lead to Jewish apostasy away from God. Why some Jewish Believers
may have thought that circumcision for Jews was unnecessary is because Paul opposed non-Jewish
proselyte circumcision (Galatians 5:11). If Greeks and Romans did not have to be circumcised,
could Jewish Believers not be circumcised as well? Was, at least, the greater interaction between
Jews, Greeks, Romans, and others in the Body of Messiah, an indication that the former needed to
eliminate practices such as infant circumcision? A greater interaction between Jews and Greeks
was the cause for much of the Maccabean crisis, and so Paul made it clear that Jewish Believers
were to not practice epispasm, a major step toward abandoning their heritage. But this is followed
by the even more important assertion that the uncircumcised were not to be circumcised.
Pauls statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18 was undeniably conditioned by ancient
circumstances. Paul could have opposed Greeks and Romans being circumcised because of the
immediate fallout of the Maccabean crisis, with Hasmomean kings forcibly circumcising
neighboring peoplesbut even more so he would have opposed it because proselyte conversion
was incorrectly thought, by many Jews, to assure a non-Jew, a definite place in the world to come
(m.Sanhedrin 10:1). This is why the Apostolic Scriptures place such a high priority on
circumcision of the heart, for all of Gods peoplewhich not only includes Jewish and non-Jewish
Believers, but also females (Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11, 13).
While there are examiners of 1 Corinthians 7:18 who will conclude that the calling of
those who are circumcised, and those who are uncircumcised, pertains to some kind of a
social/spiritual vocationthere are good reasons for us to disregard this view. In 1 Corinthians
7:17 preceding, where the general statement as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has
called each, is elucidatedemerisen (..tc.i), assigned, is an aorist active indicative verb; and
keklken (s.ss.i), called, is a perfect active indicative verb. Is it at all important that in 1
Corinthians 7:18 following, eklth (.s), is an aorist passive indicative; and kekltai (s.sat ),
is a perfect passive indicativeboth being used for called? While it can be definitely debated,
various passive verbs, in the Greek Apostolic Scriptures, are to be regarded as Divine passives,
where God and/or His Spirit are accomplishing an action.
cc
When being called (eklth /
kekltai) is properly taken as being a calling into salvation by God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:9),
dd
it is
obvious that circumcision or uncircumcision status does not matter. And, various outside forces
within the assembly are not to try to force stark changes on others, as some sort of precondition of
their salvationthe most important being ritual proselyte circumcision for non-Jewish Believers.






bb
S. McKnight, Proseltism and Godfearers, in Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New
Testament Background (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000), 844.
Cf. H.W. Hoehner, Hasmomeans, in ISBE, 2:624.
cc
Cf. Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp 437-438.
dd
1 Corinthians 1:9 employs eklthte (.s.), likewise an aorist passive indicative.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the
commandments of God.

7:19 The Apostle Paul actually writes in 1 Corinthians 7:19a, H peritom ouden estin kai
h akrobustia ouden estin ( :.te eue.i .cti sat aseucta eue.i .cti), Being
circumcised means nothing, and being uncircumcised means nothing (CJB). Elsewhere in Pauls
letters, he does affirm the value of the rite of circumcision (i.e., Romans 2:25; 3:1-2), which would
especially require here that a calling to salvation and sanctification (1 Corinthians 7:18) is the
overarching issue being addressed regarding his rule in all the assemblies.
Immediately, though, readers can be a bit taken aback. While Jewish circumcision status,
and non-Jewish non-circumcision/proselyte statusdo not matter in terms of a calling by God
into salvationPaul does say in 1 Corinthians 7:19b, what does mean something is keeping God's
commandments (CJB), or keeping Gods commandments matters (TLV). But is not being
circumcised a commandment of Holy Scripture? Some, particularly in Messianic Judaism, have
concluded that this regards various Torah commandments specifically applying to Jewish people,
and others more generally to non-Jewish people.
ee
Yet, it needs to be interjected that while native
Israelites and sojourners were not exactly the same in the Torah or Pentateuch, their obedience to
Gods Law was intended to basically be the same, and all in the broad community were
admonished to learn to keep all of the Torah (Deuteronomy 31:12). The only major difference of
instruction for natives in Israel, who were those circumcised (Exodus 12:19, 48), was the right to
eat of the Passover lamb, as well as being granted a tribal inheritance in the Land of Israel and the
incumbent responsibilities of caring for such territory. Many ancient sojourners would be
circumcised, be regarded as natives, and likely via intermarriage, have their descendants attain
tribal territory in the Holy Land.
ff
In the post-resurrection era, all are to be regarded as citizens of
the Commonwealth of Israel, with the classification of sojourner or alien status largely reserved for
the pre-resurrection time (Ephesians 2:19). In the future Messianic Age, while all will be
circumcisednot all will be living in the Land of Israel (Ezekiel 44:9).
gg

What really needs to be factored in, to understand Pauls claim in 1 Corinthians 7:19, is
how previously in Galatians 5:6, he asserted, en gar Christ Isou oute peritom ti ischuei oute
akrobustia alla pistis di agaps engergoumen (.i ,a Xtc. `Iceu eu. :.te t tc,u.t
eu. aseucta aa :tct, et` a,a:, .i.,eu.i), For in Messiah Yeshua neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. And in
Galatians 6:15, oute gar peritom ti estin oute akrobustia alla kain ktisis (eu. ,a :.te t
.cti eu. aseucta aa sati stct,), For neither is circumcision anything, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creation. Given these two statements about circumcision and
uncircumcision status, and the emphasis on faith working through love (Galatians 5:6) and a
new creation (Galatians 6:15), many have concluded that the major, intended thrust of what
matters is the keeping of the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19b), pertains to those
instructions which can decisively only be kept by a person who is born again, filled with Gods
Spirit, and who is a certain beneficiary of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; cf. Jeremiah
31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27).
hh

The amount of ancient Jewish pride, widely due to the fallout of the Second Century
B.C.E. Maccabean crisis, for the rite of circumcision,
ii
is detectable in Pauls words of Romans 2:25-
26: For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the

ee
Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, 456; Lancaster, The Holy Epistle to the Galatians, pp 241-243.
ff
Consult the authors publication One Law for All, for a further discussion. More is planned to be addressed
in the forthcoming Messianic Torah Helper by TNN Press, and in the authors forthcoming book Torah In the Balance,
Volume II.
gg
Thus says the Lord GOD, No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the
foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:9).
hh
Cf. Fee, pp 313-314; Blomberg, 146; Hays, 124.
ii
Consult the authors article The Impact of the Maccabees on First Century Judaism, appearing in the
Messianic Winter Holiday Helper by TNN Press.
Frequently Asked Questions C

- 11 -
Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the
requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? A Jewish
person can be circumcised, but still be regarded as a Torah-breaker. Circumcision or
uncircumcision status does not matter if one transgresses Gods Torah, especially its high moral
and ethical statutes (Romans 2:21-24). The Torah commandments to love God and neighbor,
jj
for
example, can only be truly realized in a person who is abiding in God, and has redeeming faith in
His Messiah (1 Corinthians 7:24, Grk.).
Unfortunately there are Christian interpreters, like Leon Morris, who have taken 1
Corinthians 7:19 to mean, No ritual observance can be set alongside the keeping of Gods
commandments.
kk
Paul did not oppose the rite of circumcision for Jewish Believers, and even had
to stop a false rumor about him that he taught that Jewish Believers should not circumcise their
male children (Acts 21:20-22). He did, though, have to place a higher priority on various
commandments which concerned a behavior reflective of those who had been called into a
relationship with Yeshua. Sometimes, as in the case of Romans 2:25-26, it meant shaming the
attitudes of various Jewish Believers who may have had an overly-inflated opinion or unbalanced
view of circumcision.
The statement of 1 Corinthians 7:19, was something which was a bit conditioned by a
Second Temple Judaism that widely, although most incorrectly, thought that circumcision
status/ethnic Jewish identity merited a place for someone in Gods Eternal Kingdom. This was the
main reason why those like Paul forbade circumcision for the Greek and Roman Believers. This
was not the medical operation that many millions of men have had in the European and American
West since the Nineteenth Century. And, an injunction against circumcision for ancient Greek
and Roman Believersbecause of a Jewish tendency among many to think that it would merit
salvationshould not be taken as a nullification of the futuristic reality that all people will be
circumcised, of both heart and flesh, in the Messianic Age (Ezekiel 44:9).
ll
Such an
eschatologically-rooted circumcision for non-Jewish Believers, while not too probable or likely to
be observed in the First Century C.E., is something that can be practiced by todays non-Jewish
Messianic men (and for good hygiene).
mm
Circumcision status, even in contemporary Messianic
Judaism, is rightly thought not to merit someone a place in the world to come.


20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

7:20 Anyone who performs a little Inductive Bible Study with 1 Corinthians 7:20, will see
some (major) value judgments made across English Bible versions:

Every one should remain in the state in which he was called (RSV).

Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him (NIV).

Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called (NRSV).

Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called (ESV).

Each person should remain in the life situation in which he was called (HCSB).

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called (KJV).

jj
Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; cf. Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians
5:14; James 2:8.
kk
Morris, 110.
ll
Thus says the Lord GOD, No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the
foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:9).
mm
Consult the authors article Is Circumcision for Everyone?, appearing in Torah In the Balance, Volume II
(forthcoming) for a further review of this topic.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called (ASV).

1 Corinthians 7:20 is a place where it is necessary for interpreters to adequately evaluate
the source text: Hekastos en t klsei h eklth, en taut menet (.sace, .i sc.t .s,
.i au .i..). The Brown and Comfort Greek interlinear version renders 1 Corinthians 7:20
with, each one in the calling in which he was called, in this let him remain.
As discussed for the opening statements in 1 Corinthians 7:17, 18, there is divergence as to
whether the calling in view for 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 pertains to a social/spiritual vocation, or to
a calling by God of a man or woman into salvation and sanctification. It is not difficult to see, in
most of the English versions above, with the exception of the KJV and ASV, that klsis (sct,)
has been rendered as either state (RSV), situation (NIV), condition (NASU/NRSV/ESV), or
life situation (HCSB). This is a certain value judgment on the part of Bible translators, whereas
calling would be the most literal, leaving English readers the option of deciding whether what
such a calling actually is.
nn

Among more contemporary interpreters, Fee takes calling as having a dual meaning,
remarking, the word calling here carries...[a] double nuance...Paul wants them to live out their
Christian life (i.e., their calling to Christ) in the situation (calling) where they were when God
called them to Christ.
oo
While it is appreciable that Fee acknowledges the calling of most
importance being one of being called into Messiah faith, this important element is decisively lost
on Bible readers who are consulting modern versions, which while rendering klsis as something
akin to situation (NASB), may not have a footnote reading Lit., calling. (My Hebrew-Greek
Key NASB, my main reading Bible, might be an exception to this.)
pp

It should be obvious that however the verb men (.i.) is rendered (discussed further),
the calling in which he was called is the more literal translation for en t klsei h eklth.
Equating klsis with something like condition (NASU/NRSV/ESV/CJB) or life situation
(HCSB) can skew ones approach to what is intended by Pauls assertion here. Once again, like in 1
Corinthians 7:19, the aorist passive eklth (.s) appears for called, which if taken to be a
Divine passive, would lend strong support for the calling in which he was called, being Gods
calling of a person into salvation and sanctification in Him. C.G. Kruse describes the general
reality, in surveying the Pauline Epistles, is how When Paul speaks about calling it is, more often
than not, the calling of believers to faith and salvation that he has in mind.
qq

While there are many Christian interpreters, as well as Messianic Jewish leaders, who will
take klsis or calling in 1 Corinthians 7:20 as being some sort of social/spiritual vocationthe
previous usage of the verb kale (sa. .) in 1 Corinthians 1:9 and the noun klsis (sct,) in 1
Corinthians 1:26, should logically affect how these terms are viewed later in Pauls epistle:



nn
Among Messianic Bible versions, the CJB follows suit with, Each person should remain in the condition he
was in when he was called.
It is a pleasant surprise, though, to see a more correct rendering in the TLV, Let each one remain in the
calling in which he was called. The Messianic Writings similarly has, Let each man remain in that calling in which he
was called.
oo
Fee, 314.
pp
Spiros Zodhiates, ed., Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, NASB (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1994), 1515.
qq
C.G. Kruse, Calling, in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, 84.
His entry does not address 1 Corinthians 7:20, although Kruse does conclude that the circumstances of being
called to faith are not callings in the sense of Christian vocations, as some have argued. He goes on to state, for 1
Corinthians 7:24, [Paul] is saying that the call to faith does not necessitate a change in life circumstances for those who
respond to it (Ibid., 85).
In our argument for 1 Corinthians 7:24, this writer will argue that let each man, wherein he was called,
therein abide with God (ASV), would be that as each person called to Messiah faith abides in the Lord, He will direct
changes to their station in life as is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions C

- 13 -
God is faithful, through whom you were called [eklthte, .s.] into fellowship with
His Son, Yeshua the Messiah our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9).

For consider your calling [tn klsin humn, i scti u.i], brethren, that there were
not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, but God has
chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak
things of the world to shame the things which are strong (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).
rr


It is not difficult to conclude that in the Epistle of 1 Corinthians, klsis and kale relate to
a calling of God into salvation and sanctification.
Outside of Pauls letter of 1 Corinthians, the closest paralleling Pauline statement to en t
klsei h eklth, the calling in which he was called, undeniably appears in Ephesians 4:1-6:

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the
calling with which you have been called [ts klses hs eklthte, , sc.., ,
.s.], with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one
another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling
[eklthte en mia elpidi ts klses humn, .s. .i ta .:tet , sc.., u.i]; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and
in all (Ephesians 4:1-6).

While klsis can pertain to a vocational calling, as it appears in Romans 11:29 per the
irrevocable gifts and mandate that God gave to Israel,
ss
how klsis is approached in 1 Corinthians
7:20 is affected far more by 1 Corinthians 1:26 and Ephesians 4:1, than tends to be commonly
acknowledged. Earlier in 1 Corinthians 1:9, 26-27, and later in Ephesians 4:1-6,
tt
the calling being
detailed is one of salvation and sanctification via the Divine activity of God on men and women.
Noting the literal rendering in the calling with which he was called (cf. Eph. 4.1) for 1
Corinthians 7:20, Bruce goes on to describe how the calling (Gk klsis), as in 1.26, is the divine
call from darkness to light...it is to this, not to ones social status, that every one should remain
faithful. Noting that while there are interpreters who would disagree, Bruce further asserts,
There is no convincing evidence for taking klsis...in the later sense of vocation, with reference to
ones employment or way of life understood as the subject of divine ordination.
uu
He makes
mention of the example of how the one called into faith, as a slave, is to take the opportunity to
become free when it avails him (1 Corinthians 7:21). The calling, to which every person is to be
steadfastly loyal, is one of salvation and sanctification in the Lordnot a station in life, which may
be altered at His sovereign direction.
One should be able to deduce how a translation like Each man must remain in that
condition in which he was called, can be abused by those in positions of religious authorityas
though certain social places in life are those where people must stay, and never leave. Concurrent
with the issues caused by improperly translating 1 Corinthians 7:20, with something other than the
literal, the calling in which he was calledis how the verb men (.i.) is to be adequately
rendered. Almost all modern versions render men as remain. Yet, when some older versions are
taken into consideration, we do encounter the more neutral rendering abide (KJV/ASV). When
some theological factors regarding men are weighed in, abide should be the preferred rendering
for this verb in 1 Corinthians 7:20, and later in 1 Corinthians 7:24.

rr
One might also consider the word of Hebrews 3:1, Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling
[klses epouraniou, sc.., .:euaiteu], consider Yeshua, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
ss
[F]or the gifts and the calling of God [ta charismata kai h klsis tou Theou, a ,atcaa sat sct,
eu .eu] are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
tt
Do be aware of the possibility of how various modern commentators on 1 Corinthians 7:20, might not
recognize the importance of Ephesians 4:1 for interpreting this verse, because they might be prone to deny genuine
Pauline authorship of the Epistle of Ephesians.
uu
Bruce, 71.
Frequently Asked Questions C

- 14 -
Various Greek lexicons have summarized the different translation options for men,
which interpreters need to know:
CGEDNT: remain, stay, abide; live, dwell; last, endure, continue.
vv

TDNT: This word means a. to stay in a place, figuratively to remain in a
sphere, b. to stand against opposition, to hold out, to stand fast, c. to stay
still, and d. to remain, to endure, to stay in force.
ww

BDAG: in transf. sense, of someone who does not leave a certain realm or
sphere: remain, continue, abide.
xx

The most neutral theological rendering for the verb men, in 1 Corinthians 7:20, is abide.
And when the verse is properly translated with, the calling in which he was called, with such a
calling properly recognized as being called by God into salvation and holiness, abide is clearly
the best rendering. This is further realized when various uses of the verb men, as employed in the
Gospel narratives of Yeshua, are considered, in particular John 15:4-9:

Abide [meinate, .t ia.] in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
unless it abides [men, . i] in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide [mente,
.i.] in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides [menn, . i.i] in Me
and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does
not abide [menn, .i.i] in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they
gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide [meinte,
.ti.] in Me, and My words abide [mein, .ti] in you, ask whatever you wish, and it
will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove
to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide [meinate,
.t ia.] in My love (John 15:4-9).

While some modern versions actually translate men as remain (i.e., NIV, HCSB, as well
as YLT), the clear advantage of rendering men as abide is obvious. The necessity of Believers
abiding in the Lord Yeshua is that as the Vine, He provides one the nutrients and ability to grow
spiritually. Abiding in the Lord is not a process where one remains stagnant and spiritually under-
developedbut instead where those abiding in Him are to grow, mature, and develop more in
their knowledge of Him and His love. As such maturity takes place, there are doubtlessly many
positive changes which are to occur regarding how people understand their calling into salvation,
the great wisdom of God and His Creation, and the potential role (or roles) that such individuals
may play via His direction and guidance.
The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament summarizes some of the theological
significance of the Greek verb men and people abiding in Messiah:

Of particular theological relevance is the use of .i. [men] in the immanence formulas
of the Johannine literature. Jesus challenges his followers to abide in him (John 15:4-7), as
he also abides in them (v. 5, reciprocal immanence formulas; cf. also 6:56 [Church
redaction]). In 1 John the immanence formulas (2:6, 24, 27f.; 3:6, 24; 4:12f., 15f.: sometimes
reciprocal) refer to one's abiding in God or in Christ, sometimes in the ind. and sometimes
in the imv. (cf. also 3:9: his seed abides in him; 3:17: the love of God abides in him). This
involves an abiding as in a realm or a sphere, but is not to be understood in a mystical
sense. One may note a partial correspondence between the reciprocal formulas and Paul's
alternation between .i Xtc. [en Christ] and Xtce, .i ti [Christos en hmin].
yy



vv
Barclay M. Newman, Jr., A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament (Stuttgart: United Bible
Societies/Deutche Bibelgesellschaft, 1971), 113.
ww
F. Hauck, mn, in TDNT, 581.
xx
BDAG, 631.
yy
BibleWorks 8.0: Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. MS Windows Vista/7 Release. Norfolk:
BibleWorks, LLC, 2009-2010. DVD-ROM.
Frequently Asked Questions C

- 15 -
There is no denying the advantage, when the calling of 1 Corinthians 7:20, is properly
evaluated to be the calling of a man or woman into salvation and sanctificationof translating the
verb men as abide. There are key usages of the verb men, in relationship to people abiding in a
relationship with Yeshua, which is something in view in 1 Corinthians 7:20 as well: Let each one
abide in the calling in which he was called (my translation). This is to be an individuals
relationship with the Lord, where no outside influence or caustic force in the assembly is to try to
interfere with His special work, especially in terms of placing human pre-conditions on a person
being called into salvation.


21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free,
rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman;
likewise he who was called while free, is Messiah's slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not
become slaves of men.

7:21-23 In the midst of the discussion pertaining to Pauls rule in all the assemblies in 1
Corinthians 7:17-24, is an example of what was to be done regarding ancient slaves. Paul inquires,
Were you called as a slave? Dont let that bother youbut if indeed you can become free, make
the most of the opportunity (1 Corinthians 7:21, TLV). Some might be prone to take the being
called (represented by the aorist [Divine] passive eklths, .s,) as a social/spiritual
vocationand there are those in history who have not only taken slavery as a social/spiritual
vocation, but who have errantly argued that it was a status which few could leave, and that the
institution of slavery should not/never be abolished. This should be immediately disregarded,
because Paul asserts, if you are able also to become free, rather do that (NASU). The being
called in view is best taken to be the calling of an ancient slave into salvation and sanctification,
further specified as being called in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:22). A status of slavery in life has
undoubtedly been assigned by God (1 Corinthians 7:17)but it is a status, for the ancient First
Century slave, which should have been changed if the opportunity for freedom presented itself. A
calling into salvation and sanctification, though, can be manifested in a position of slavery, given
the likelihood that many First Century Believers in the Mediterranean basin, who were also slaves,
may not have been given freedom. Paul further asserts,
For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lords freeman. Likewise the one
who was called while free is Messiahs slave (1 Corinthians 7:22, TLV).
A status in life, such as being a slave or being free, does not matter in terms of being
called in the Lord, en Kuri kltheis (.i sut. s.t,), as both are spheres where people can
represent Him and behavior that reflects their calling by Him into redemption. Yet, there is a
major difference between the free person, who when called into faith, may be regarded as the
Messiahs slaveand the one who was called into faith while being a slave owned by some other
mortal person. No matter how some of these verses may have been abused in history (i.e., 1
Corinthians 7:20, 24), the Apostle Paul is hardly one who opposed social mobility, and he was
subversive to ancient First Century norms when it came to the issue of slavery. He candidly states,
You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters (1 Corinthians 7:23,
NRSV). The work of the gospel in saving all people, slave or free, is something that was to work
its way in society in people not owning other people, seeing the eventual abolishment of the
practice. It is a sad shame that even in our Twenty-First Century world, forms of slavery still exist
in the third world.


24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

7:24 The closing statement to what has been regarded as Pauls rule in all the assemblies,
closely mirrors that of what was asserted previously in 1 Corinthians 7:20, but there are some
Frequently Asked Questions C

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rendering issues. Here are a variety of contemporary English translations of 1 Corinthians 7:24,
from the same versions we quoted previously:

So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God (RSV).

Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him
to (NIV).

In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God
(NRSV).

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God
(ESV).

Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called
(HCSB).

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God (KJV).

Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God (ASV).

1 Corinthians 7:24 is a place where it is necessary to turn to the source text for the
appropriate answer regarding what is being summarized. A version like the NASU notably has
indicated added words in italics, which can escape the notice of readers who do not access English
Bible versions with this feature: Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in
which he was called (NASU).
zz
Here, the value judgment of klsis for 1 Corinthians 7:20
representing condition (NASU), is repeated. Other versions, as listed above, do not make such
an indication for English readers.
aaa
Versions like the KJV and ASV have wherein he is/was
called, with no additional words. The Brown and Comfort Greek interlinear offers each one in
what [position] he was called, brothers, in this let him remain with God,
bbb
for Hekastos en h
eklth, adelphoi, en tout menet para The (.sace, .i . .s, ae.|et, .i eu. .i..
:aa ..). Here, the added word, position, has been placed in brackets [].
The assertion of 1 Corinthians 7:24 is similar, but not exactly the same, to 1 Corinthians
7:20. Interpreters can be left wondering how to best render hekastos en h eklth (.sace, .i .
.s), given the presence of the relative pronoun h (.). Bruce indicates how this clause is lit.
each wherein he was called, further remarking, the rendering state is more permissible here
than in verse 20.
ccc
Because of the presence of the relative pronoun h, Bruce draws the
conclusion that the calling, or klsis of 1 Corinthians 7:20, can be extended a bit to incorporate
ones life circumstances when called into redeeming faith:
In this case the sentence is very close to v. 20, with two modifications: (1) the phrase in
the calling is replaced by the relative pronoun in whatever; (2) the imperative is modified by the
prepositional phrase with God...Both of these changes seem to verify our interpretation of vv 17
and 20, that simultaneously Paul is referring to ones situation when called and to Gods call.
ddd


zz
The NKJV has the similar, Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
aaa
Among Messianic Bible versions, the CJB follows suit with, Brothers, let each one remain with God in the
condition in which he was called. The Messianic Writings similarly has, Brethren, in whatever condition each man was
called, let him remain in that condition with God.
A better rendering is offered by the TLV, Brothers and sisters, let each onein whatever way he was
calledremain that way with God.
bbb
Brown and Comfort, 594.
ccc
Bruce, 72.
ddd
Ibid.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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This conclusion is similar to those of other evangelical Christian interpreters previously
referenced, where Gods calling people into faith manifests in ones life circumstances functioning,
as at least a semi-spiritual vocation.
The issue regarding hekastos en h eklth, in that in which he was called (YLT), is
actually more complicated than some may realize. Rather than the dative (case indicating indirect
object) feminine noun klsei (sc.t) being repeated from 1 Corinthians 7:20, what appears
instead is the dative (case indicating indirect object) neuter relative pronoun h (.). In his
textbook Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, Daniel B. Wallace describes how the relative pronoun
(RP) agrees with its antecedent in gender and number, but its case is determined by the function it has
in its own clause.
eee
Technically speaking, for 1 Corinthians 7:20 and 7:24, the feminine klsei
(sc.t) should be followed by the feminine relative pronoun h ( ).
fff
What appears instead is
the neuter h (.). Is this a problem? Wallace actually does detail how there are exceptions to the
rule, stating, Not infrequently relative pronouns do not follow the basic rules of agreement.
Sometimes the gender of the RP does not match that of the antecedent, usually because of sense
agreement superseding syntactical agreement.
ggg
So, it should not seem to be that big an issue for
the neuter h representing the feminine klsei.
What this does for an interpreter, is to bring us back to the same challenge which had to
be evaluated for 1 Corinthians 7:20: Is the calling/klsis in view, a social/spiritual vocation, or a
calling to salvation and sanctification? Feasibly, modifying the NASU rendering, 1 Corinthians 7:24
could be translated with, Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that calling in which he
was called. Paul does conclude 1 Corinthians 7:24 with, en tout menet para The (.i eu.
.i.. :aa .. ): therein abide with God (ASV). Here, the answer that we provided for 1
Corinthians 7:20, about abiding (Grk. verb men, .i.) in the callingrepresenting ones
calling into salvation and sanctificationis validated. A Believer, having been called into Messiah
faith, is to decisively abide with God in relationship and communion with Him.


7:17-24 Pauls rule in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 is not that people are to remain stagnant and
unchanged in a particular station in life that they perpetually occupy; Pauls rule is that people are
to be abiding in the calling of God to salvation and holiness, who will then direct any changes to
ones status as appropriate. The ancient slave, when presented the opportunity to become free (1
Corinthians 7:21), was to surely take it. Likewise, how many other opportunities would be
presented to ancient Believerswhere they were called to Messiah faith in a particular life
condition, such as being poor, oppressed, or in a nightmarish marriage relationshipwho as they
prayed to God to fix things, would give them a way out? When an opportunity presented itself,
were they not supposed to take it? We should not find a huge amount of problems with Morris
view, We should serve God where we are until he calls us elsewhere...[Paul] is not counselling an
attitude of passive resignation, an acceptance of the established order at all costs.
hhh

The conclusions drawn in our examination of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 are reflected in the
following authors rendering, modified from the 1901 American Standard Version:

[17] Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, so let him walk.
And so I direct in all the assemblies. [18] Was anyone called being circumcised? Let him
not practice epispasm. Has anyone been called in foreskin? Let him not be circumcised.
[19] Circumcision is nothing, and foreskin is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of
the commandments of God. [20] Let each one abide in the calling in which he was called.
[21] Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become
free, rather use it. [22] For he who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord's freed one;

eee
Wallace, 336.
fff
For a concise summary of relative pronouns in Biblical Greek, consult David Alan Black, Learn to Read New
Testament Greek (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1994), pp 155-157.
ggg
Wallace, 337.
hhh
Morris, pp 111-112.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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likewise he who was called while free, is Messiah's slave. [23] You were bought with a
price; do not become slaves of human beings. [24] Brothers and sisters, let each one, in that
calling in which he was called, in this abide with God (1 Corinthians 7:17-24, authors
rendering).
iii



1 Corinthians 7:17-24 and Todays Messianic Movement
How are todays Messianic Believers to approach 1 Corinthians 7:17-24? This passage has
been too frequently avoided by Messianic laypersons, who are widely unaware of the different
translation and perspective issues relating to calling. They are being widely caught unaware, by
how various Messianic Jewish leaders of note are applying 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 in a way to make
sure that Jewish and non-Jewish Believers rigidly know what their differences are. Suffice it to say,
even though things are already complicated enough with much resentment and suspicion among
many groups of people in the broad Messianic movement, here in the decade of the 2010sthere
is likely to be a new (lamentable) wave of it, substantially caused by those who fail to recognize
that the calling described in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 is a calling to salvation and sanctification, and
not a social/spiritual vocation. Those in positions of influence, who are prone to espouse their
position, will not be too likely to engage that much with the source text, and instead will argue
almost exclusively from various English versions.
jjj

Many Messianic Jewish interpreters will look at Pauls word of 1 Corinthians 7:18a, Was
any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised, from the
perspective that being circumcised, i.e., being Jewish, is a social/spiritual vocation which is not to
be abandoned. Messianic Jews have mainly used this, and understandably so, as a means to combat
the tendency in far too much of past history, that when Jewish people came to faith in Yeshua,
they were to give up their Jewishness. Many Jewish Believers of the past have assimilated away
into Christianity, no longer circumcising their sons, remembering the Sabbath or appointed times,
or eating kosher. Being enjoined with intermarriage, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of
such Jewish Believers often have not had either an appreciation of, or perhaps even knowledge of,
their Jewish heritage. It is absolutely appropriate for Jewish Believers to oppose this sort of
assimilation. But is 1 Corinthians 7:18a the place to base it from? Not if the calling in view is a
calling to salvation and sanctification. Paul says elsewhere, in Romans 3:1-2 for example, Then
what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First
of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
As we have just argued, with a calling of God into salvation in view, for 1 Corinthians
7:18a, Paul opposes epispasm as it would have decisively led to apostasy, per the Maccabean crisis
(1 Maccabees 1:10-15). A prohibition for Greek and Roman Believers called into salvation, to go
through ritual proselyte circumcision, does not mean an exemption for Jewish Believers to stop
circumcising their sons.
Pauls further assertion in 1 Corinthians 7:18b, Has anyone been called in uncircumcision?
He is not to be circumcised, with uncircumcision, i.e., not being Jewish, taken to be a
social/spiritual vocation, is now being turned onto todays non-Jewish Believers who are being led
into Messianic congregations, and desiring to live a life of Torah obedience, in emulation of
Messiah Yeshua. Such a vocational calling, to which non-Jewish Believers are believed to be
assigned by God, does not really involve them ever keeping things like the seventh-day Sabbath,
appointed times of Leviticus 23, or a kosher style of diet
kkk
and many non-Jewish Believers in
Messianic congregations, probably need to return to a more standard church setting. If such things
were to ever be observed, they are believed to only be important as a matter of living in solidarity

iii
This authors rendering is likely to appear in a future volume of the for the Practical Messianic series, by
TNN Press.
jjj
An obvious exception to this could be David Rudolph (2010). Pauls Rule in All the Churches (1 Cor 7:17-
24) and Torah-Defined Ecclesiological Variegation, 03 November, 2008. Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations. Accessible
via <http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/scjr/index>.
kkk
Consult the relevant volumes of the Messianic Helper series by TNN Press.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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with the Jewish people, but not as a matter of obedience expected by God of all of His people. If
Sabbath-keeping or kosher eating were kept for a reason other than solidarity with the Jewish
people, distinctions between Jews and non-Jews are believed to be blurred or erased.
lll
This
understandably can get many non-Jewish Messianic Believers greatly upset, especially when they
are fully committed to being a part of the Messianic community, including living in solidarity with
the Jewish people. It is as though living a Torah obedient life does not have that much to do with
their own spirituality or growth in the Lord.
As we have just argued, with a calling of God into salvation in view, for 1 Corinthians
7:18b, Paul opposed non-Jewish Believers being circumcised as proselytes, because it would feed
the idea that such circumcision was necessary for salvation. A common idea present in Second
Temple Judaism was, All Israelites have a share in the world to come... (m.Sanhedrin 10:1),
mmm

something resolved at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1, 5) with the decree that four prohibitions
had to be followed by the new, non-Jewish Believers (Acts 15:19-21, 29), with Tanach prophecy in
the process of fulfillment (Acts 15:15-18). Such prophecy would have doubtlessly included the
nations coming to Zion to be taught Gods Torah (Micah 4:1-3; Isaiah 2:2-4), and when followed the
Apostolic decree would sever the Greek and Roman Believers from their old pagan spheres of
influence, and see them attached to a community where Moses was being taught every week
(Acts 15:21). The promised New Covenant was to see Gods Instruction supernaturally transcribed
onto the hearts and minds of His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27),
nnn
not forced onto
people via the demands of mortals. On the contrary, all are to abide in the calling into salvation (1
Corinthians 7:20, 24), and allow God to direct them according to His sovereign will. And in the
Last Days to be certain, people from the nations were to decisively join with the Jewish people, as
one composite people of God (cf. Zechariah 8:23).
Romans 11:29 makes it quite clear that God has placed a special vocational calling onto
the Jewish people: for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. This is an eternal
distinction that can never be removed from them, even with all Messiah followers being a part of
a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation as well (1 Peter 2:9-10). But, the calling being described in
1 Corinthians 7:17-24 is a calling into salvation and sanctification by God, and is directly affected by
passages like 1 Corinthians 1:9, 26 and Ephesians 4:1-6. This is something which has not been taken
as serious as it should be, by enough of todays Messianic Jewish leaders.
If, as we have proposed, Let each one abide in the calling in which he was called (1
Corinthians 7:20, authors rendering), is the appropriate way to approach Pauls rule in all the
assemblieswhat would it mean for ancient Jewish Believers to have abided in their calling to
salvation and sanctification? Presumably, it would mean a greater manifestation of Gods grace and
wisdom, as seen in the Tanach, demonstrated toward others; a better understanding of such
Believers Jewish heritage and how it could be used to educate and enrich others; and most
importantly a better appreciation for Gods sovereign direction of Israel through the centuries and
His plans for restoring the Kingdom. To go through epispasm (1 Corinthians 7:18a) would be
throwing this, and many more things, on the proverbial garbage heap.
What would it mean for an ancient Greek or Roman Believer to abide in the calling in
which he was called (1 Corinthians 7:20, authors rendering)? Presumably, it would be manifested
in a better understanding of their salvation via Israels Messiah as those from the nations; a better
understanding of and commitment to studying Israels Scriptures; a further probing of Gods plan
for bringing knowledge of Himself to the world, and how Jewish and non-Jewish Believers
together, can enlarge such a mission; a better understanding of and commitment to, obedience to
the commandments of God via His Holy Spirit; and participation in the restoration of His
Kingdom on Earth, which is to culminate in the Messiahs return. Being circumcised as a proselyte
was entirely incompatible as a pre-condition of being called into salvation, per ancient Jewish

lll
Consult the relevant sections of the authors book One Law for All.
mmm
Neusner, Mishnah, 604.
nnn
Consult the authors commentary Acts 15 for the Practical Messianic.
Frequently Asked Questions C

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issues with it (m.Sanhedrin 10:1).
ooo
Being circumcised in conjunction with future eschatological
realities would not have been too likely for the First Century Greek and Roman Believers (cf.
Ezekiel 44:9), but it can be observed today by non-Jewish Believers in the Messianic world, where
circumcision is decisively not a salvation issue.
Because of religious politics and entangling alliances and the group-think mentality, being
what they are for much of the Messianic community, one should not expect 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
to be approached from the perspective of a calling into salvation and sanctification by too many
Messianic Jewish leaders and teachers. On the contrary, one should not only expect some of the
most rigid social/spiritual vocational calling perspectives possible to manifest, but also a retreading
of the tired old complimentarian line that we are all equal in salvation, but different in roles.
While we should not be led to naively think that each one of us is exactly the sameas
natural distinctions among people will always existan equal in salvation, different in roles
perspective has been used in the past to justify slavery, or permit bad things to happen to people,
falsely believing that a persons station in life was/is a Divine vocation that cannot (ever) change
or be altered. It has been most recently been used in Christianity to deter women from pursuing
religious educational opportunities and leadership positions in the Body of Messiah. While todays
Messianic Jewish leaders, who have a social/spiritual vocation view of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, are
not trying to validate slavery or support a denigration of womentheir incorrect interpretation
can deter or delay much of the work of God, which is manifesting, in stark reality, on the ground
in many of their own congregations (i.e., Zechariah 8:23). And no one should ever want to be found
actually impeding salvation history...
Those who hold to 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 speaking to a calling by God into salvation and
sanctification, have a definite responsibility to demonstrate faith working through love
(Galatians 5:6) and what it means to be a new creation (Galatians 6:15), to those with whom we
might disagree. While many of our acknowledged Messianic leaders might not get itmany
individual Messianic people most certainly will and do!



J.K. McKee (B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary) is the editor of
TNN Online (www.tnnonline.net) and is a Messianic apologist. He is a 2009 recipient of the
Zondervan Biblical Languages Award for Greek. He is author of numerous books, dealing with
a wide range of topics that are important for todays Messianic Believers. He has also written
many articles on theological issues, and is presently focusing his attention on Messianic
commentaries of various books of the Bible.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard, Updated
Edition (NASU), 1995, published by The Lockman Foundation.


ooo
For a further review, consult the FAQ on the TNN website, Galatians 5:2-3.